Handmade dresses for children have never been this special. Worn out by her on-the-edge and demanding job of a radio producer, Lissa Cook has her glandular fever that she ‘worked through’ to thank for, two years since starting Peak Princess, as she looks at a successful line of good, quality handmade clothes for children. Lissa Cook also represents the growing number of entrepreneurs, mostly ‘mom entrepreneurs’ or mumpreneurs as the buzzword goes) who are seeking more quality and worth in their everyday life, ever looking for means to stay happier and more satisfied. In Lissa’s words, “I loved my job as a radio producer and was tremendously lucky to make BBC programmes but it was immensely stressful.” She also jokes that she keeps working more hours than her stressful job, now, but the key difference, it leaves her with a strong sense of inner-happiness and contentment, not to forget the handsome commercial returns from the enterprise.
Peak Princess started off from where she left her sewing lessons , imparted by her illustrious mother, a dress designer, who was even featured for her designs in Vogue. Every single dress is individually handmade by Lissa to order, so delivery times can vary, with a standard delivery time of two weeks. “ I remember the special feeling of handmade party frocks, ball-gowns and bridesmaid dresses & my wedding day dream came true when I exchanged vows in a dress designed and made by Mum”, Lissa recalls.
Using prints from Liberty of London, based out of the scenic Peak District, Peak Princess’ first collection was launched in the spring of 2009, which now has an enviable waiting list, for her handmade creations sewn with love. It also means she can live and work from home in the beautiful Peak District, get to spend more time with her family and the quality of life is immeasurably better.
Lissa Cook of Peak Princess UK
Her vision on the future of the enterprise is very clear and clear. Lissa reiterates, “My goal is to grow the business organically. I only set out to make clothes for baby girls. Demand from customers has meant I’m now making up to 8-9 years as well as for boys and now ladies plus accessories. I don’t want to employ lots of people. I have a friend in the neighboring village who makes hair accessories for me which is wonderful, as it means I can expand but without the financial or emotional stress of employing or managing others. It also means I can continue to be a journalist – I read the news for my local station High Peak Radio and do some writing and PR work too. I love the variety of my new life.”
Peak Princess offers to the consumer something different, something exclusive, personal and original that they won’t find on the high street. That in combination with great customer service are simply, the fundamentals that form the DNA of a fabulous entrepreneurial initiative, in Lissa’s case, sewn with a lot of love.
